Sports

The Democratic Republic of Congo have asked FIFA to refund the cost of 2026 World Cup tickets bought by fans who are now unable to enter the United States (US) because of Ebola-related travel restrictions. The Leopards are returning to football's biggest stage for the first time since 1974, but the public health emergency declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 16 May is threatening to stop supporters from travelling to the US. Officials say there are more than 900 suspected cases of Ebola in Central and East Africa, and 223 suspected deaths, since the outbreak was declared. The…

From soccer to Formula 1, Forbes has unveiled its latest ranking of the world’s highest paid athletes. No Nigerian athlete is on the list. The list features stars from six different sports, with every athlete earning more than $100 million annually for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, who ranks third behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Canelo Álvarez, has officially entered the billionaire club in terms of net worth. Combined, the 10 athletes generated $1.4149 billion before taxes and agent fees over the last 12 months. That figure represents a modest 2.8% year over year increase compared to 2025, when…

*Says Oba Ladoja's Reign Has Restored Glory To Ibadan Darling Team All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Oyo State and former Oluyole Local Government Area (LGA) Chairman, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan has congratulated Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) on its qualification to represent Nigeria in next year's Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederation Cup. It would be recalled that the darling club of Ibadan and Oyo State clinched the third position at the conclusion of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) yesterday. The position means 3SC returns to the continent after 27 years. 3SC last participated in CAF-organised tournament, African Cup…

By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has congratulated Rangers International FC of Enugu on their ninth national league title and the second under his administration. Mbah said the players and management of the club have made the people of the state proud and etched their names in gold by walking the path of legends. Rangers lifted the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) trophy on Sunday after beating their hosts, Ikorodu City FC 2–1 at Onikan Stadium, Lagos, to finish the season with 68 points ahead of Rivers United, which garnered 67 points after downing Katsina…

By Ed Aarons After 22 years of waiting, sorrow, and emerging close-second best in recent seasons, Arsenal finally became male football champions of England following last night's 1-1 draw by rivals Manchester City away to Bournemouth. Against the permutations of most of the global fanbase of their rivals in the English Premier League (EPL), who said the Gunners have been the 'nearly men' of English football's modern history, coach Mikel Arteta's conquerors brushed aside such pessimism and ran a gutsy, determined campaign, though full of heart-palpitating downs, and ups, to finally coast home to gold. Below is a 1-10 rating…

By Ed Aarons Enduring much ridicules over the decades, especially with several close shaves with the ultimate crown in English football, Arsenal became the laughing stock of football with its nearly syndrome. But not any more. Finally, after 22 years, Arsenal are English Premier League (EPL) champions --for the first time since Arsène Wenger’s Invincibles in 2004 after Manchester City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth today. It caps a remarkable achievement for Mikel Arteta in his first job in management, the Spaniard having transformed Arsenal into contenders since taking over from Unai Emery in December 2019. His team finished as runners-up…

By Jamie Jackson & Jacob Steinberg After a decade in the dugout, Pep Guardiola has informed Manchester City’s players that he will leave the club after Sunday’s final Premier League game of the season against Aston Villa. The manager felt obliged to update his squad after news of his departure broke on Monday night, taking him by surprise while he was preparing for Tuesday’s match at Bournemouth. Guardiola had hoped to keep his decision to leave City private for longer, so as not to provide a distraction. City need to beat Bournemouth to take the title race to the last…

This season has been far from smooth sailing for Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian forward has had to watch Real Madrid fall short in every competition they were fighting for and, while things on a personal level appeared to be going perfectly in his relationship with Virginia Fonseca, it now seems their romance has come to an end,reports Spanish sport daily Mundo Deportivo English edition, today. It was the Brazilian model herself who publicly announced the breakup with the Real Madrid star through a statement posted on her social media accounts. The couple officially confirmed their relationship in late October 2025,…

By David Hytner, at Wembley, and a People&Politics Abuja report The leisure garden in Wuse, a bubbly section of Abuja, the Nigeria capital, was packed full with football enthusiasts. The booze, as chilled as they come, flowed freely, steaming hot dishes of all complexions of pepper soup were ferried to customers by smiling, courteous service girls whose body contours provoked subdued lewd comments from not a few of the males around. It was an electric atmosphere in there. The effervescent ambience was triggered not so much by the delectable service girls or the garden's menu, but by the impending English…